Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Texas Agriculture Archive

February 1, 2002

Farm Bill completion
is top TFB priority

By Lana Robinson
Field Editor

Although Texas Farm Bureau achieves many of its national legislative priorities each year, there seems to be a never-ending list of issues and challenges facing farmers and ranchers that need addressing. According to Steve Pringle, TFB's legislative director, 2002 is no different. Pringle cited eight proposed legislative priorities the organization will be emphasizing during the second session of the 107th Congress.

Congress must pass a new farm bill prior to the current farm act's expiration in September, 2002.

"Obviously, completion of a farm bill, to be effective with the 2002 crop year, is our most important priority, and we need one sooner, not later," said Pringle.

Farm Bureau believes the next farm bill must provide an expanded public investment in agriculture. The bill must include increased income support for producers, much of it "counter-cyclical," and increased expenditures for conservation, research and export promotion to help the industry grow and prosper.

Farm Bureau supports H.R. 2646, without amendment, and has called upon the U.S. Senate to adopt the same measure. The organization also supports the apportionment of the $73.5 billion in budget authority between commodities, research, conservation, trade, etc. to ensure it is balanced and equitable.

"And we will continue to pursue the regulation of Karnal bunt as a quality issue rather than a quarantine issue. Karnal bunt has had a great impact on Texas wheat producers and remains a key factor in planting decisions," he said.

Permanent repeal of 'death tax'

Although strides have been made in the area of estate taxes, Pringle said a permanent repeal is still the long-term goal of the organization.

"We are still not satisfied with the way it is," said Pringle, explaining that the new law calling for a phase-out does not permanently repeal the "death tax, and Farm Bureau will not rest until it does."

Farm Bureau supports the creation of tax deferred savings accounts, called Farm and Ranch Risk Management (FARRM) accounts, to provide a new risk management tool for farmers and ranchers. Pringle said Congress should pass H.R. 662 and S. 313 to create FARRM accounts. Farm Bureau also supports S. 312, the Tax Empowerment and Relief for Farmers and Fisherman Act, that includes FFARRM accounts.

TFB will also seek equalization of technology fees, associated with seeds, on an international basis.

Pringle said TFB leaders will continue efforts to lift trade sanctions, particularly with respect to Cuba—a market with potential opportunities for Texas producers. He said Farm Bureau believes all agricultural products should be exempt from all embargoes and unilateral sanctions except in the case of armed conflict. The threat of embargoes or other restrictions adversely affects markets and is an inappropriate tool in the implementation of foreign policy. Farm Bureau policy suggest that farmers should be compensated by direct payments for any resulting loss when an embargo or sanction is enacted.

A new priority for 2002 calls for the monitoring of agro-terrorism legislation developments to insure protection of international boundaries.

Expand use of bio-fuels

Finally, Farm Bureau will work to secure passage of energy legislation to expand usage of bio-fuels. Ethanol production is important to American agriculture because it uses farm commodities, particularly corn, thus increasing demand for the commodity. Diesel fuel using soybeans and other farm product conversions are rapidly expanding the potential to increase commodity prices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foreign sources.

Farm Bureau policy strongly supports maintaining the link between ethanol and solutions to air pollution problems. The eventual phase-out of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) will allow for ethanol to greatly expand its market, particularly on the West Coast. AFBF also supports efforts in Congress to require that motor fuels used in the U.S. contain a percentage of renewable, ag-based fuel.

The U.S. House passed one long-time Farm Bureau national priority, Trade Promotion Authority, at the very close of the last session. It awaits Senate action.

"Every president over the last 25 years has had authority to negotiate trade agreements with approval, but not amendments, by Congress. This authority expired in 1994. TPA makes it possible to break down foreign trade barriers and create markets and jobs through government-to-government negotiations," Pringle explained.